What if Han Solo was this guy?

Glynn Turman says he came close to scoring the role of a lifetime - Han Solo in Star Wars. Photo/Getty

A star of The Wire says the role of Han Solo was almost given to a black actor - him.

The role, which has become one of Star Wars' best known and most beloved characters, eventually went to Harrison Ford.

But in a new interview with Empire, Glynn Turman says he auditioned for the role and he believes he came close to getting it.

"In those days it said, 'black actor', 'white actor', 'Hispanic actor' for every role, but it didn't say either for the Han Solo part," the actor tells Empire.

"It didn't specify, 'black actor'. I was rather pleased because I was just being called in as a talent."

He also remembered director and series creator George Lucas as "very professional".

"We were all young then, so I thought he was this young guy doing his thing and I was impressed with that. He didn't seem 'Hollywoodish'. He seemed like a regular guy, which made him easier to talk to."

Turman has previously said he might not have been given the role because "there might be too much controversy between a white Princess Leia and a black Han Solo".

Turman is known for his role as hardboiled politician Clarence Royce in the later seasons of Baltimore crime drama The Wire.

A Han Solo spin-off film is due for release next year, but recently hit a snag when its directors were replaced by Ron Howard.